Improved apparatus for assaying and testing ores and metals



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JOSIAH S. PHILLIPS, 0F SAN FRANCISCQCALlF-ORNIA.

Letters Patent No. 94,508, (lated September 7, 1869.

IMPRVED APPARATUS FOR .ASSAYIN'G' .AND TESTING- ORES AND METALS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the Same- -To all whom it may concern Be it known that I', JosIAH S. PmLLIrs, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a Portable Automatic Assaying-Apparatus and I do hereby declare the following description, and accompanying dra-wings, are suiiieient to enable any person skilled in the art or science `to which it most nearly appertains, to make and use my said invention or improvements without further invention o1' experiment. i

Myinvention relates toa portable automatic assayving-apparatus, or au apparatus for ascertaining the qualities and quantities of the base and precious metals, with respect to their quantity and purity, by the use oi' which any person, although uuacquainted with the use ot the blow-pipe, can, after a short period of instruction, bccome sutiiciently versed in its use to test, with a considerable degree of accuracy, the nature of any of the ores generally acted upon by theffblowpipe; and

lt consists in the combination and arrangements of all the necessary iiuxes, blow-pipes, reducing and cupelling-apparatus; scales and weights for weighing the ore; and, finally, the button, the product of the orc; the whole being so arranged as to be packed within a very limited space, suitable for transporta- `tion, and is intended more especially' for prospectors and millers use. Each part is so constructed and arranged as to perform its work perfectly, and without the Alll-Cessity of scientific skill in its manipulation.

ln order to explain my invention, so as to enable others to fully understand its constrnctionainl operation, reference is had to the accompanying sheets of drawings, and letters marked thereon, the same letters indicating identical parts, wherever theyoccnr, in which-- Figure 1, sheet l, is a perspective view of the. apparatus.

Figure 2, sheet 1, is a view of the cupel.

Figure 3, sheet 2, isy a vertical section, showing the interior of the water-space.

Figures 4, 5, (i, T, and 8, sheet 2, are detailed views of parts of the apparatus.

A is the base or pedestal of the appara-tus, and is pierced with ,holes on two or more of its. sides, in which are placed cups or vessels B B, for containing The various iiuxes required to promotevthe fusion of the metals to be assayed.

C is avessel or box, corrcspomling in size to the base A, the use and functions of which will be hereafter described, the two being separated a. proper distance apart by a hollow vessel, l);

i'pon the top ofthe box is secured a metal plate, E, of smaller size than the box, which is provided with -tl-circular opening. This opening also passes through thel box C, into the chamber inside ofthe vessel l).

Over the opening in the plate E is secured vertically a hollow column or cylinder, F, which may be of any desired shape, and made water-tight at its point of' connection, by any suitable packin". This column is made detachable at pleasure, and serves for other purposes, to be hereafter mentioned.

When used for this purpose, the column is provided with a removable bottom, G, which has a valve, H, which lifts upward.

Inside ofthe vesselD is a pipe, I, which passes diogonally across the chamber, lying close to one side, as shown at iig. 3, sheet 2.

About midway of this pipe is a valve, J', which allows the air in the pipe to esca-pe, and which, when the chamber is ii'lled with water, is entirely submerged, but when the water is forced downward by the air introduced, and upward into the chamber F, it is gradually brought o ut of the water.

A rubber tube, K, provided with a month-piece, K', is connected with thenpper end of the pipe I, the tube passing over the end of the pipe, and a metal tube, l', being forced down over the rubber', as

-shown in iig. 3, sheet ".3, thus binding the rubber between the two tubes, and making the. connection perfectly air-tight.

Upon the box C is a raised metal ridge, L, over which the rubber tube passes, and a iiat spring, L', is so arranged as to bear the more. easily down upon the tube, compressing and .'endering the passage 'airtight.` This spring can be inverted, and so arranged as to be operated by the foot, the tube being free until the spring is forced down upon it.

The box G is hollow, and a portionof it filled with alcohol, oil, or other suitable Huid. y

At one side ofthe plate l), in the box Ga slot, not shown, is cut in the top of the box, over which is placed a metal plate, N, with three or more wickholders, a a a, projecting slightly above it.

A lever, O, is provided with holes, through which 'the wick-holders a. (t protrude, and is so arranged, that by moving it back and forth, the wicks or flames maybe brought nearer to or further from the assay# cup, being also slightly elevated and depressed, as they are moved backward or forward, iu order to prod uce the correct positions for producing the reducing or oxidizing-naines, as desircd.

Y Communicating with the' chamber in the vessel D are three or more tuyeres 'or nozzles, l l P, oneover each wick-tube.

A conical cup, X, tig. 7, is placed inside the chamber l), vfitting snugly around the opening in the plate E.

Near thc bottom of this cup is a small opening, surrounded on the outside by a cap, X', open at the top, forming, as it were, an inverted siphon, for preventing the air from escaping into the. cup.

The chamber Dis first filled partially i'ull of water,

.and air is introduced through the rubbei` tube K,

which causes the water to rise inthe cup, and pass up, through the valve H, into the column F. ,lhe introduction oi' air through the tube K now. being discontinued, the water in the column flows back into the cup X, through the small restricting or governinghole a in ,the bottom of the cylinder, thus compressing the air, and ibrcing it out more equally through the tuyeres l l) l), upon the dames, the combination forming aweryveiiective blow-pipe, for very large comparative quantities oi' orc. y l

The assay-cup is provided with a long stem, Q', the lower end oi' which 'is formed into a screw.` On the base or pedestal A is attached one end of two correspomling arms lt,- so that they may more freely.

4Attached to the outer end of one of these arms is a circular metal plate, S, having a projection on oneside, to which the arm R is attached, so that it also can turn freely in any direction.

A circular opening is cut from the-centre ofthe plate S, in which a set of gimbals, T, or other equivalent joint, is placed.

Around the outside of the opening in the plate is a flange, around which a ring, attached to the outer,

end of the opposite arm 1t, is placed.

The lower end' of the stem of the assay-cup is screwed into the inner ring of the gimbals, thus allowing it to be manipulated by the hand, so as t'o throw the cup at any angle or elevation required to bring the button under theI action of the flames.

The cup itself is placed inside of rings U, which form a circular moving joint, the rings being attached to two springs V, whichare held in place by two set :rews W, at the lcorners ot' the plate E.

rlhe springs V allow the cup to be drawn down by the screw in the gimbals to any required position, while the joint U allows it to be inclined or shifted to or from the flame, as desired.

Y is a cork, or other non-conductor of heat, placed around the stem (if, which the operator grasps in manipulating the cup.

Z'is a metal or other band, formed so as to embrace the colulnn F, the two ends being extended parallel to each other, to any required distance.

-Between these two extended ends, and directly over the assay-cup, are. pivoted two or more curved iingers, b b, which may be folded up between the two ends, for transportatiol'i, when they will assume the position indicated by the dotted line.

These fingers, when extended, areseparated, and a lump ot' charcoal, d, is suspended between them, directly over the assay-cup. when 'a reducing-heat is required; and when it has caught on tire, and the air from the nozzles playsv upon it, it will be kept in a continual glow, aiding the reduction of the -metal to a great degree. lWhen the oxidizing-name is used, the charcoal is removed, and a piece of soapstone, orother non-conducting, fireresisting, and non-reducing substance is substituted in its place, for cupcllation of the precious metals.

A portion of the 'box O, shown at iig. l, sheet 1, with raised lid c, is occupied by a weighing-device, by which the ore iirst, and4 finally the button, the product of the ore, is weighed.

The lscale shown at tig. 4, sheet 2, represents more clearly the operation of my scale.

f represents along scoop-shaped lever, resting upon bearings at y, upon the longe-nd of which the button A is placed, and the ore-sample is .weighed on the short' end inthe pan. The bearings or trunnions onwhich rlhis'charcoal is only used the beam j' rests are sharp at the bearing-point, so that but very little friction is induced by the turning ot' the beam.

A weight, h, is suspended' from the short endof the lever, which counterbalauces the weight .of the button. Four or more of these weights may be used, iu accordance with the number ot' scales of figures employed, and one for-weighing the ore-sample.

The scale is represented at iig. 5, sheet .2, and may be made up otany number oi' columns of iigures, placed at the proper distances apart, to correspond to the increasing length of lever. lhese scales are marked with numbers, which represent the number of dollars per tou the ore from which the button is obtained will yield, the calculation being made on the scale with reference to the button, each row of iigures representing the value for a stated amonntbf ore, and each weight being employed to represent that amount, in their respective columns, and the oreweight for the sample being placed over the last line, or forty dollars, ($40,) for weighing the sample.

For millmen and prospectors, itis very desirable to ascertain with greater facility whether or not there is suliicient silver or other metals to pay the oost of miuing and extraction, and, in order to obtain the approximate value, I have devised, in addition to thefscaies already described, aiiat plate, p, pertbrated with one or more holes, r, of dili'e ent and suitable sizes, countersunk on the upper side, into which 'the globule from the. assay is dropped, so as to measure the button, in order to obtain its value in dollars per ton, the smallest representing tbrty dollars ($40) per ton for silver, or the least quantity that can be worked profitably, and it' it does not pass through the'smaller hole, it is of' greater 'alue.

For more readily obtaining-the value per ton the ore will yield, and more especially when the buttonis of a small size, for gold and silver I use two metal strips, r, secured on any level surface, y. These strips gradually diverge from a common point, similar to the 4lines used in Harkorts scale :finthe same purpose. lhe ounces or inoney-valueis marked on these strips, one side for silver and the other side for gold, opposite the width which will receive a button of the value marked. This mode of obtainingthe value of the button renders the Harkort theoretical principle prompt, practicable, and reliable for the unskilful millmau or prospector. y

Sometimes, Yin operating thel ores, it will be inconvenient for some operators to employ their breath for furnishing air for the blast. 'lo meet this emergency I have attached to the apparatus a small bellows, 1', which is arranged to be operated by the foot, the mouth-piece K on the tube K being insertedinto the eduction-opening k, and receiving the air from the bellows, conveys it into the chamber D. The inductionvalve j is, as -shown in iig. 6, sheet 2, at the bottom of the bellows, the .air being both received into and discharged from the bellows at the bottom, through the bed-plate upon which the bellows rests by a clackvalve and an inverted Siphon-tube and valve, j. The column F is to be a cylmder, or any other suitable form, and-serves for conta` ning the water which gives the pressure, pedestal for roast-in g, drying, evaporatin g, or filtering, as well as for holding the covering charcoal and non-conducting, lire-resisting, and non-reducing material for smelting and cupellin". It also serves to suspend the assaying-furnace and cupelling-muiile in more elaborate and generally-varied assays, and by covering the upper end with a sieve, m, it serves for sifting the pulverized ore, and forms a..receptacle for a portion of the tools in travelling.

For cupelling, I use a cylindrical metal tube, a, open at both ends. The interior of this tube is filled with bone-ash, made concave at the ends, so that after the l 'of the column F.

button has been refined toa certain extent, upon one end of the tube, it can be transferred to the opposite end, where the refining is completed. .lhe ends of this cup are provided with four recesses, q', made at the four quarters of the periphery of .the cnp,pextending downward to the. upper rim of the concave bone-ash, so that one centre flame may oxidize, and the two side flames keep the metal'and ash hot. The boneash can be used alone when made of the form above described, without the outside metal tube'or cylinder.

The assay-cup, covering of suspended charcoal, and system of levers and joints for manipulating the same, above described, can. be used with equal facility, with the common blow-pipe, for producing the blast, and at a great advantage over the method usually employed.

The operation of producing an assay by the use of my apparatus is as follows:

I first crush the ore to be assayed to the proper degree offineness,after which it is thoroughly mixed and sized by means of the sieve m, placed on the end By the ordinary blow-pipe treatment, one grain is the amount of ore treated at atime, but by the use of my apparatus, fifteen and one-half grains, troy', can be operated upon at once. After sizing, fifteen and one-half grains, or ten decigrammes of the ore is weighed out upon the scales at the back of the apparatus, and mixed with test-lead and suitable fluxes from the boxes B B, and placed' in acylindncal soda-paper box. This box is then placed in acavity, in a piece of charcoal or other moulded combustible material, which fits into the assaying-cup Q. Water is then placed in the chamber D, to about three-quarters of its capacity, and Aair introduced through the elastic tube K, thus forcing the water through the inverted Siphon into the vertical cylinder F. The air, being compressed by the vcolumn of water, is forced out through the three tuyeres I I I, thus driving or concentrating the flames upon and around the cup containing the assay.

The centre flame plays directly upon the front of i the assay, While the two outside flames play upon the sides or rim of the charcoal, first with the oxidizingflame yuntil the assay is suliieiently fused with the fluxes to prevent loss, and then with the full reducingflame, for a period of from ten toftwenty minutes, until the scorla or slag becomes orbicular, during which period the assay is kept in suitable positions by shifting the assay-cup, by means of the levers 4and universal joints, and the elevating and. depressing-screwand springs on the assay-holder.

During the operation of assaying, a piece ot' charcoal or other moulded combustible is kept suspended by means of the charcoal-holder Z.

The cupellation is performed in the tube n, substituting it in place of the reducing-cup, and the flame from the centretuyere is blown directly through one of the recesses in the tube upon the lead button of the assay, and at the same time the two side flames are directed under the outer rim of the cup on either side of the recess, warming the cup and keeping it at an equal maximum lleat. The tube is turned when necessary, so as to allow' the. centre llame to play through either ofthe recesses, the oxidizing-flame being used. During vthis operation the assay is covered by the soapstone or other suitable material employed in its stead. After a sufficient length of time has elapsed, and the silver button is obtained, it is weighed'upon the scales at the rear of the apparatus, to ascertain thevalue, per ton, of the ore from which the assay was taken, which is, after balancingr with one of the weights, read at sight from the scale.

For roasting and assaying tin, copper, lead, or other minerals, I use a cylindrical furnace, t, filled with charcoal or other reducing-mixture, and place it in front of the flames and nozzles. The furnace and charcoal are pierced with holes or openings in such posi tions yas to admit the flames into the body of the char' coal, in` which is placed a Crucible for blow-pipe, or crncible-assaying of these minerals, which also forms a transverse muflle for cupelling silver and gold buttons with bone-ash cnpls.

By the use of this apparatus I alu enabled to make perfectly accurate and reliable assays of ore in any required quantities, reducing theoperation to a mechanical process,easily acquired by persons not familiar with mineralogy or assaying. The apparatus, when packed ready for transportation, and containing all the necessary furniture and articles for producing an assay. will not occupy more space than a cube of from five to seven inches, nor weigl'rmore than eight pounds, s

making it invaluable for the prospector and others who cannot at all times finda practical assayer, in order to test their ores.

Having thus described my invention,

ters Patent, is,-

1. The stand, consisting of the pedestal A, hollow connecting-vessel D, box (l, and plate E, substantially' as above described.

2. The boxes B B, secured in 'the pedestal A, for the purpose of containing the various fluxes required during the assay, substantially as herein described.

The diagonal pipe I, with its valve J, in combition. with the tube K, for introducingr air into the water in the chamber D, substantially as and for the purpose above described.

4. The flat spring L', in combination with the pointed ridge L, for compressing the tube, and preventing the return of the air or water, substantially as herein set forth.

5. The conical cup X, with its inverted' siphou X',

m, for mixing-and sizing the pulverized ore, substantiall y as hereinset forth. j

' 7. The metal plate N, with its three or more upward-l projecting wick-holders a a (l, said plat-e being movable y by mea-ns of a lever, 0', by which the wicks are shifted so as to produce a reducing or oxidizing-flame at pleasure, substantially as herein described.

S. The three or more tuyeres or nozzles P P P, coinmunicating with the interior of the chamber D, and through which the airis forced against the flames for the purpose of propelling them against and-upon the assay, sul'istantially as described.

l), rllhe assaying-cup (1) wit-h its long stem Q', the

lower end of said stein being formed into a screw, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

10. -The upper and lower sets of universal joints,

consisting of the arms It, circular pla-te S, gimbals .l,.

or other'equivaleut joint-rings U,.and elevating and depressing-springs V, the whole constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

Il. The fingers l) b, attached to the end of' the baud Z, for suspending a piece. or pieces of charcoal or other required material, abovethe assay, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

12. Suspending apiece or pieces of charcoal, d, above the assay for the purpose of intensifying and equalizug thehea-t on the assay, substantially as described.

13. The weighing-device, consisting ofthe long scoop-shaped lever f, balanced by means of Weights,

upon sharp bearings, for the purpose of weighing the What I claim as new, and desirefto secure by Letore, and the button after the assay, substantially as set forth. Y p

14. In combination with the beam f of a weighingdeviee, a scale or series of scales, each scale corresponding with weights h, whereby the number of dollars per ton, the Yore from which the button was taken will yield, can be read from the scale by merely bal- I :meing the button on tbe beam, substantially as herein4 j described.

15. In combination with the apparatus hereinbefore claimed, for producing a blast, the bellows i, operated either by the foot orl hand, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

16. The oupelling-tuben, witllits recessed rims, said tube being1 filled with bone-ash eoneaved at both ends, substantially as and for the purpose described.

17,"Il1e metal plate p, having the graduated holes Witnesses:

J. L. BOONE, WM. GER'LAIH. 

